Easy Flaky Fish Tacos with Zesty Cilantro-Radish Salsa: Your Go-To Weeknight Meal
Transform your ordinary taco night into an extraordinary culinary experience with these incredibly easy and delightfully flaky fish tacos. Crowned with a vibrant, fresh, and zesty cilantro-radish salsa, this recipe is designed to bring excitement and healthy flavors to your table any day of the week, especially on those busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
Why These Fish Tacos Are a Must-Try
There’s an undeniable charm to fresh fish tacos, and even a profound love for the crispy, breaded varieties. However, during the bustling work week, the priority often shifts to options that are not only delicious but also undeniably fresh, healthy, and, most crucially, *easy*. This recipe hits all those marks, making it a perfect addition to your weekly meal rotation.
The secret to keeping these tacos quick and effortless lies in the pan-searing method. With just a well-seasoned piece of fish and a hot skillet, you can achieve perfectly flaky fish in less than 10 minutes. While your fish is searing to golden perfection, you’ll have ample time to whip up the invigorating cilantro-radish salsa and prepare your tortillas. It’s a harmonious cooking process that ensures maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Looking for more innovative taco night ideas? Explore these delicious pork tenderloin tacos, zesty chili lime shrimp tacos, or savory easy chicken tostadas for further inspiration!
The Star of the Show: Our Flavorful Cilantro-Radish Salsa
No fish taco is complete without an exceptional salsa, and this cilantro-radish salsa truly steals the spotlight. It’s not just “flavorful” – it’s an explosion of fresh, tangy, and slightly spicy notes that beautifully complement the delicate fish. We often opt for fresh salsas or crisp slaws for homemade taco nights, and this particular salsa consistently emerges as a serious winner.
What makes this salsa so special is its ability to seamlessly integrate a burst of tangy flavor with added vegetables, without ever feeling like you’re “forcing” yourself to eat your greens. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious blend that you’ll want to put on everything.
Key Ingredients for This Dynamic Salsa:
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro: Finely chopped, this provides a bright, herbaceous foundation to the salsa. Its distinctive fresh flavor is essential for a true Mexican-inspired dish.
- 1/4 cup radishes: Sliced into thin sticks or julienned, radishes add a wonderful peppery crunch and a beautiful pop of color. They also contribute to the “zesty” aspect of the salsa.
- 2 green scallions: Thinly sliced, green scallions offer a milder, fresher oniony bite compared to traditional onions, perfectly rounding out the herb profile.
- 2 cloves garlic: Finely chopped, garlic infuses the salsa with its indispensable aromatic depth, tying all the fresh flavors together.
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper: Finely chopped, a small amount of jalapeño provides just the right amount of heat to awaken the palate. For less spice, remove the seeds and membranes.
- Juice of 1/2 lime: This is the magic ingredient that brings all the flavors into sharp focus. Lime juice adds essential tanginess and brightness, making the salsa incredibly refreshing.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, these basic seasonings are vital for enhancing and balancing all the vibrant components.
Beyond fish tacos, this versatile cilantro-radish salsa is an excellent accompaniment to virtually any protein. Imagine it alongside chicken tacos, carne asada, or even vegetarian and vegan taco bowls. Its fresh and tangy profile makes it suitable for almost any meal that craves a vibrant lift.
Choosing the Best Fish for Your Flaky Tacos
For achieving that coveted flaky, pan-seared texture in your fish tacos, the choice of fish is paramount. I highly recommend using fresh cod or halibut, as their lean, white flesh breaks apart beautifully once cooked. However, many other white fish varieties work exceptionally well too, including mahi-mahi, snapper, or even tilapia. For a quicker alternative, shrimp can also be used, cooking in just 2-3 minutes while absorbing the same delightful spice blend.
The cooking process for white fish is surprisingly simple. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add a little neutral oil (like avocado or olive oil), and once hot, sear the fish for 3-4 minutes per side. As the fish cooks, you’ll notice it begins to flake effortlessly, which you can gently encourage with a fork. This method yields incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful fish that’s perfect for stuffing into tortillas.
While this recipe specifically calls for cod, feel free to personalize your tacos by selecting your favorite white fish or even opting for shrimp. The universal spice blend ensures delicious results regardless of your choice.
Our Simple Yet Impactful Fish Taco Seasoning Blend
A great fish taco starts with perfectly seasoned fish. This straightforward spice blend is designed to enhance the natural flavors of the fish without overpowering them, making it suitable for any white fish or shrimp you choose for this recipe. Crafting your own blend means you control the quality and intensity of the flavors, resulting in a superior taste compared to store-bought mixes.
Just five common spices stand between you and a wonderfully aromatic and flavorful fish seasoning for your tacos:
- Garlic salt: Provides a foundational savory note with a hint of garlic. If using garlic powder and salt separately, adjust quantities accordingly.
- Cumin: Essential for its warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor, cumin is a staple in many Mexican-inspired dishes and crucial for authentic taco seasoning.
- Chili powder: Adds a mild, complex heat and a beautiful reddish hue to the fish, contributing to the overall depth of flavor. Adjust the amount to your preferred spice level.
- Salt and pepper: Fundamental for seasoning, these balance and elevate all the other spices, bringing out the best in the fish.
The beauty of this fish and salsa combination is its inherent cleanliness and versatility. As prepared, the seasoned fish and fresh salsa are naturally Whole30 compliant, low-carb, and gluten-free. From this perfect base, you can customize your tacos to fit any dietary preference or craving. Stuff them into your favorite corn or grain-free tortillas, wrap them in crisp lettuce cups for a low-carb option, or even serve them in a bowl with a few crushed tortilla chips for added crunch.
When I’m feeling indulgent, I love to load up my tacos with a generous sprinkle of shredded cabbage for extra crunch, creamy cotija cheese for a salty tang, and slices of ripe avocado for rich, buttery notes. However, if you prefer a cleaner, crisper experience without added carbs or dairy, simply omit the tortillas and cheese. These fish tacos are truly yours to personalize!
Flaky Fish Tacos with Quick Cilantro-Radish Salsa Recipe
Flaky pan-seared white fish, seasoned to perfection and topped with a super fresh, zesty, and easy-to-make cilantro-radish salsa. This healthy and quick meal will instantly elevate your taco night!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4 (yields 8 tacos, 2 per person)
Calories: 245 kcal (for fish and salsa only)
Author: Nichole Crews
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Ingredients
Cilantro-Radish Salsa
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup Dandy Radish Ministicks® or 1/4 cup whole radishes, julienned or thinly sliced into sticks
- 2 green scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped (seeds removed if you prefer less heat)
- Juice of 1/2 lime, plus more to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Fish Tacos
- 1 1/2 pounds cod or other white flaky fish (e.g., halibut, mahi, snapper, tilapia)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil (can also use nonstick cooking spray)
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2-1/4 teaspoon chili powder, to taste
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, for garnish
- Cilantro-Radish Salsa (prepared above)
- For assembly: corn or grain-free tortillas, lettuce wraps, sliced avocado, cotija cheese, shredded cabbage, or other desired toppings.
Instructions
Cilantro-Radish Salsa
- To a medium bowl, combine the chopped fresh cilantro, Dandy Radish Ministicks® (or sliced radishes), thinly sliced scallions, finely chopped garlic, and finely chopped jalapeño. Gently mix all ingredients to combine.
- Stir in the juice of 1/2 lime, and approximately 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Mix well to ensure all components are evenly coated and seasoned.
- Taste the salsa and adjust seasoning as needed. You may wish to add additional lime juice for more tang, or more salt and/or pepper to enhance the flavors further. This salsa can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
Fish Tacos
- In a small bowl or ramekin, combine the cumin, garlic salt, salt, pepper, and chili powder to create your taco spice blend. Stir thoroughly to mix the spices evenly.
- Generously sprinkle the prepared spice blend over both sides of the cod fillets (or chosen white fish). You can either prepare the fish immediately or refrigerate it after seasoning until you are ready to cook.
- Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is warm, add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil (or olive oil). Allow the oil to heat until it shimmers, indicating it’s hot enough to sear.
- Carefully place the seasoned cod into the hot skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side. It’s crucial not to flip the fish too early; if it resists when you try to turn it, allow it a little more time to cook and develop a crust. The fish is ready to flip when it’s opaque halfway through and has a slightly charred or golden-brown crust.
- Once both sides are cooked to opaque perfection and have a beautiful sear, remove the fish from the heat. Drizzle with fresh lime juice for an extra burst of brightness. Using a fork, gently break the cooked cod apart into large, flaky chunks.
- Assemble your fish tacos: Warm your preferred corn or grain-free tortillas, or prepare lettuce cups or bowls. Fill them with the flaky pan-seared cod, a generous spoonful of the fresh cilantro-radish salsa, and any desired optional garnishes such as cotija cheese, sliced avocado, or shredded cabbage. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
This recipe will make approximately 8 servings of fish, enough for 2 tacos per person. The nutrition information provided (245 kcal, 3g carbs, 29g protein, 6g fat) is for the cilantro-radish salsa and the seasoned cod only. It does not include the nutrition for tortillas or any optional garnishes such as avocado, cheese, or other toppings.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 6g
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